In their fight for the same rights as Whites the Blacks have gone different ways. The largest movement was led by Dr. Martin Luther King JR. They based their activities on peaceful demonstrations and actions.
Militant movement
The Black Panther Party chose a more militant way and was also willing to use violence to reach their goals. They often had fights with the police.
A political alternative
The Black Panther Party was founded in Oakland California in October 1966. They fed the hungry and protected the weak from the racist police. In this way they presented new political and social activities for the Blacks. The Party grew to at least 5 000 members all over the country.
In Black neighborhoods they gave away food, organized free health clinics, and made sure that children had a good breakfast. Naturally this was very popular among black people.
For the majority of the white people they were a group of anti-government activists. The FBI and the police fought them eagerly. Many Party members were killed, some of them only 20 years old.
Inner fights
In the middle of the 1970s the Party fell apart because of conflicts between the members. Some of the leaders left the country to escape the police. However, up to this day they are remembered for their ability as individuals to stand up for their rights and fight together.